The Crafton pool lifeguards make most of their saves in one area of the pool — the transition, marked by a rope, between the “baby pool” and the “big pool.”

Because the floor of the pool gradually slopes downward, there’s nothing stopping smaller children from getting in over their head, said head guard Erica Rodriguez.

To address that issue, Crafton will add a splash pool for children to its community pool complex, its first major upgrade in over 20 years.

Destined for a grass field adjacent to the main pool, the project will be bid Aug.19. Borough manager Ann Scott confirmed the lifeguards’ expectation that the splash pool will be open for swimmers next summer.

Amber Coffy and Samantha Nardozzi, friends and Crafton residents who both have one-year old sons, are excited for the project, which Ms. Coffy said is “especially for the little ittie-bitties.”

Ms. Nardozzi said she won’t have to worry about her son being “splashed in the face every five seconds” or run over by excited larger children chasing a wave or a ball or another child, with the creation of a private “little pool.”

It’s a project two years in the making. The borough had applied for a $1.2 million grant but received $250,000, which necessitated a smaller project. The engineer and council decided on the upcoming splash pool. After funds were received last summer, the borough budgeted $100,000 of the its tax dollars this year and $50,000 in 2016, in order to match the grant for a total of $500,000.

“It’s in the budget,” said Ms. Scott. “It’s the borough’s responsibility.”

The plans have been on display at the swimming pool and the borough building and Ms. Scott believes residents, especially those on the recreation board and the Crafton Crocodiles swim team are “pretty pleased with the design.”

The pool will have a bottom with water jets, which will aid in recycling water. Other proposed design perks include a crocodile-shaped jet, an anchor-shaped structure that rains water, and climbing blocks.

But Ms. Rodriguez is most excited about the low wall that will divide the splash pool area from the larger pool.

After the council’s June meeting, the engineer was able to finalize the design. Construction begins in September.

Marilyn Patterson, director at Precious Angels daycare in Crafton, brings her charges to the pool twice a week already. “I think it might bring in business,” she said of the splash pool.

“Now if we could just get them to put a hot tub in, I’d be here all the time,” she said.

Elizabeth Miles: emiles@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1724.

First Published: July 17, 2015, 4:00 a.m.